Their comments come as Michael Gove MP, former education minister, has replaced Andrea Leadsom MP as environment minister in charge of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), a role that has direct influence on the antiques trade.
Defra is the government department expected to launch a consultation on the ivory trade this year. However, ahead of the election, it was postponed.
Prime minister Theresa May unveiled her new cabinet, including Gove's appointment to the environment brief, on Sunday 11 June.
Helen Carless, chairman of auctioneer body SOFAA, said: "SOFAA stands ready to reach out to the new Secretary of State or any of his ministers to continue the so-far mutually beneficial dialogue regarding the future trade in pre-1947 ivory.”
Carless added: "SOFAA is committed to supporting the ban on the illegal trade in modern ivory."
BADA’s chief executive, Marco Forgione echoed SOFAA's comments. “I welcome the appointment of Michael Gove as Environment Secretary and look forward to meeting with the new team at the Environment Department.
"We need to ensure that practical policies are developed and implemented which will ensure that the art and antiques industry is able to compete effectively internationally and that endangered species are protected. The poaching of elephants and the abhorrent illegal international trade in poached ivory must be stopped.”
Rebecca Davies, chief executive of LAPADA, said the dealer trade body "works tirelessly to represent the interests of the trade to government. We will forge new relationships following the Cabinet reshuffle and will reiterate our clear and rational case for the protection of the trade in pre-1947 worked ivory to decision makers”.
Praise for Victoria Borwick
The cabinet reshuffle came after a brace of election shocks including the Conservatives' failure to retain their majority and for the antiques sector, BADA president Victoria Borwick losing her seat in Kensington by 20 votes. Antiques industry leaders were fulsome in their praise of Borwick's track record in championing the sector in parliament.
Other departments important to the art and antiques trade were left unchanged with Karen Bradley remaining secretary of state for culture, media and sport and Greg Clarke as business secretary.
Leadsom, who as environment minister promised the consultation on what proof of ivory’s age the government would require, is now Leader of the Commons.
The biggest issue facing government remains the Brexit discussions, due to start later this month.
